What I Learned at The Movement Fix Workshop I recently attended Ryan DeBell’s Movement Fix workshop, which helps athletes improve their pulling, squat, and overhead mechanics. As a Fascial Stretch Therapist™ and flexibility coach I have spent a lot of time in gyms watching athletes prepare for their workouts (warming up and stretching). During workouts […]…
Bone Broth for Creaky Knees and Achy Joints If box jumps make you cringe, running hurts your knees, or your joints ache every so often (for no apparent reason) – you may want to cook some bones this weekend. Many gym members that I have worked with once thought that flexibility naturally diminishes with age […]…
The Squatty Potty Another Reason to Squat: The Squatty Potty The squat is a fundamental weightlifting exercise it is a part of every well-rounded fitness program. The squat is also more than just an exercise found in the gym it is a natural resting position that supports ankle and hip flexibility. While young children spending […]…
Improving Shoulder Flexibility This traction sequence for the shoulder will help improve shoulder mobility. The three positions used target the glenohumeral joint at different angles. Traction decompresses the joint-capsule which itself is often adhered restricting range of motion. While the goal here is to isolate the shoulder joint as much as possible, a subtle stretch […]…
Levator Scapula Stretch Levator scapula spans from the top of the shoulder blade to the side of the neck. A tight levator scapula interferes with the fixed position of the shoulder blade during shoulder flexion – compromising shoulder position during overhead lifts. That knot at the top of your shoulder blade is often a sign […]…
This tricep stretch combines shoulder flexion and elbow flexion. The advantage of stretching the triceps this way is that the pole can be used for shoulder flexion, which is not possible when athletes tie a band to a pole and face away for the stretch. Athletes oftentimes think of improving triceps mobility for the front-rack […]…
Rhomboid Stretch This stretch for the mid-back is a quick way to improve shoulder flexion (your ability to straighten your arms overhead). Rhomboid is part of the ‘Core-Four’ upper – the four muscles that can restrict the motion of the shoulder blade – which then limits any overhead movement. The ‘Core-Four’ upper: rhomboid, levator scapula, […]…
Forearm-Wrist Stretch Go easy on this stretch – nice quick sequence pre-workout. Wrist pain after workouts is often due to a lack of thoracic flexibility which should also be addressed to improve the front-rack. To improve thoracic flexibility check out the thoracic extension exercise here. – Kevin Kula, “The Flexibility Coach”, Creator of FlexibilityRx™…
A better rotator cuff stretch This stretch is for the ‘rotator cuff’ which is a term for the musculature around the shoulder blade. Tight external-rotators often restrict shoulder flexion, limiting your ability to get your arms overhead for the shoulder press or overhead squat. Where should I feel the stretch? This stretch will be felt […]…
…